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Winning buyers over at your Open-For-Inspection requires more than just a quick clean and a few glossy flyers (although neither of those things hurt).

We know that the property should always look exceptional – clean, well-lit and uncluttered, with the services of professional home stylists and cleaners employed when necessary.

But a successful OFI goes far beyond the basic presentation of the property. There are all kinds of clever marketing ideas that can maximise the experience for buyers and ensure that the listing makes a real impact on every single person who walks through it. 
1. Personal profiles 

Be wary of making the open all about you, but a little self promotion can work wonders. Including a simple personal profile among your marketing collateral adds a personal touch and casually demonstrates to buyers that they can trust you. 

A snappy profile brimming with carefully selected information proves that you’re a local property expert, so buyers who miss out on one of your listings can then choose to follow you up for advice, or see what else you have on the market. Buying a home can be overwhelming; people will appreciate a familiar, and friendly, face. 

2. Detail the home

Go for total transparency at your open by having all the details of the property at your fingertips. Information sheets covering past renovations, improvements, the results of pest and building inspections, or infrastructure like heating, cooling and water systems, address any concerns or queries head on. They clearly demonstrate that the property is in excellent condition and make a great impression on potential buyers. 

3. Sell the lifestyle

Provide overviews and details of the local area. Lifestyle is vital – as previously discussed, the house is not the only thing you’re selling. The facilities and amenities on offer to play a huge role in where people choose to buy property. It’s why people will pay the same amount for a tiny studio in the inner city as they would for a three bedroom house out in the sticks; they’re chasing the lifestyle that the local area has to offer. You could assemble a brief guide to the suburb (nightlife, parks, schools, and shopping) or film a short video tour of the surrounds. By helping to paint a vivid picture of the life the buyer would lead living in the house, you make it easier for those who attend the open to imagine themselves in that space.

4. Vendor interviews

Aside from you, who’s better placed to sell the merits of the home than those who have actually lived in it? Never underestimate the amount of emotion that goes into the decision to buy property – where you live is a hugely personal thing. Potential buyers will find it hard to resist the appeal of a seller’s fond memories, particularly when they’ve lived in the home for a long time or have been through significant life events there, like raising a family. Potential buyers appreciate a narrative. A short video Q&A is all you need – have it ready to go on an iPad or set it to play on a loop on the TV. 

How do you add value to your OFIs?